Dogs seem to know the scents of other dogs and humans. If they have a sense of themselves, maybe we can help them understand their position in our family rather than asking them to recognise their reflection.

One of the most valuable things you can offer your dog is a positive sense of family. Dogs should be respected and cherished in order to develop into a comfortable and productive friend. Find the following dos and don'ts to help your dog develop healthy self-esteem as he develops.

• Let Your Dog Make Choices

  Giving dogs alternatives – dogs think in conditional (YES/NO) terms within a fair two options that you have pre-selected – helps them feel motivated. For eg, give your dog two different types of treats to choose from, or give him two different toys to choose from. Learning to make easy decisions while a dog is young will help him learn for the more complicated decisions he will face as he ages. Understanding whether or not anything is a hazard, for example.

• Let Dog Do for Themselves

  Allow the dog to sort it out on her own. It might be quicker and cheaper to pick up a ball in the bush, but allowing her to do it herself allows her to learn new skills. The more new challenges she faces, the more capable and optimistic she will be.

• Don't make jokes or brag dishonestly.

  Dogs are experts at spotting phoney recognition or illegitimate awards. Praise your dog often, but be precise about your praising cues so that your comments do not ring hollow. For example, instead of responding to your dog's new accomplishment with, "Wow, you're a good boy! Try something like, "GOOD, YESSSS, YAY!"

• Don't Hold Emotion for long

  Maintain your focus on the current moment. What happened three seconds earlier has no bearing on what is happening today. And if a case is linked to a human calendar, dogs can not take time into account. They see it in terms of activities rather than time.

• Find Alone Time With Dog

  Whether it's sharing a treat or going for a stroll, try to plan 5-15 minutes of alone time with your dog at least once a day. This is a fantastic way to build teamwork and reinforce your emotional bond with your puppy.